Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Training Camp Day 11 Notes - Flames assign 9 players to AHL. 6 players on waivers.

Calgary4LIfe · 10-02-2022, 03:38 PM

I think the only surprise (minor surprise, really) was Klapka getting waived. I was sure he would have been sent to the Wranglers as he is still relatively raw, but I did expect him to be one of the last cuts as I thought he showed the most out of all the players that didn't play an NHL game last season. Phillips I don't think did enough to stand out - I think he needed to come out and be more of a factor. Definitely some bright spots, but not nearly enough to warrant a longer look. Now he just needs to work hard and wait for a call-up. I would be surprised if someone claimed him at this point, but stranger things have happened I guess.

I think that last top 9 spot was a two horse race between Milano and Ruzicka. If Milano won it, I think Ruzicka would have went into the jumble for the 4th line rotation. If Ruzicka won it, then the team won't sign Milano. Zary almost stole it, but not quite. I think a non-waiver eligible player has to be substantially better to risk losing an asset on waivers (or risk losing overall depth). Injuries happen, and if there is an early injury on the Flames, my pick is for Zary to be at the front of the line.

I would anticipate that Ruzicka won't make it through waivers without being claimed. 6'5" center with decent skating and great hands? Someone is going to claim and see how he can fit in the bottom 6 on their team. I don't think Ruzicka played badly enough to get waived anyway, but I seriously doubt he passes. He did well in Junior, he did well in the AHL, and thus far in the NHL he hasn't looked bad at all. One relatively disappointing preseason is not going to change anyone's perception. Also, Sutter specifically went out of his way to be complimentary of Ruzicka - said he had obviously put in a lot of work this off-season as he came into camp with a man's body instead of a boy's body like he had last year. At any rate, someone had to really push Ruzicka off the roster, and I don't think anyone did. They are not going to throw a big, promising center.

It is too bad that Pettersen got injured. I thought he was noticeable when he was on the ice. At this point, I would think it is a bit late to get into another game if he is ready to go by tomorrow, and I assume he will be sent down as soon as he recovers. I started writing him off last season after being fairly high on him in the past, but he showed me wrong this camp. He is strong in all 3 zones. Seemed like he was playing a very mature game.

Pospisil you just have to feel sorry for. Kid just keeps getting injured. Big body that can skate, has good hands and has that sandpaper game is what Sutter really likes, and this should have been a camp for him to shine in. Hope he puts these constant injuries in the rear view mirror.

As for Eakin, I would argue that he has been earning a deal. Shouldn't upset anyone really - who else is competing for a 4th line role? Rooney? Maybe Ruzicka if someone displaced him out of the third line I guess. Duehr or Pospisil? Not really since they won't be taking defensive zone draws. Eakin gives Sutter another layer of comfort in knowing that someone really good on draws is out. When the 4th line is caught on an icing, you can be a bit more relaxed that at least Eakin can win the draw, or at least be good defensively. Mistake-free minutes is important - the ability to chew-up mistake-free minutes allows your difference makers to rest. I also think it is more than just mistake-free minutes - I think that it will often be an 'energy line' - Lucic and Ritchie throwing around their weight will be an energy line, and there is value in that.

So far, not real big surprises. My biggest surprise is Eakin earning a deal (thus far anyway). Looking at his numbers last year and seeing him as one of the worst Sabres in many categories led me to believe that this would be a short-termed PTO. Goes to show how the right situation for a player can mean a world of difference.

Milano, on the other hand, hasn't done much to earn a deal. I don't see it. I don't think he looked good with Kadri (though one game isn't very telling anyway). I didn't see someone who was driving the play, or being a factor on the ice. I thought Ruzicka was more of a positive factor more often, and I can't say that I loved Ruzicka's performance at camp. Was hoping this would work out and the Flames end up with a valuable asset for free, but it hasn't. I hope a team with a better situation for him signs him, but I don't see him fitting on the Flames. That spot was WIDE open, and all I saw was a player who didn't want that spot.

10-02-2022, 03:38 PM	#113
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	I think the only surprise (minor surprise, really) was Klapka getting waived. I was sure he would have been sent to the Wranglers as he is still relatively raw, but I did expect him to be one of the last cuts as I thought he showed the most out of all the players that didn't play an NHL game last season. Phillips I don't think did enough to stand out - I think he needed to come out and be more of a factor. Definitely some bright spots, but not nearly enough to warrant a longer look. Now he just needs to work hard and wait for a call-up. I would be surprised if someone claimed him at this point, but stranger things have happened I guess. I think that last top 9 spot was a two horse race between Milano and Ruzicka. If Milano won it, I think Ruzicka would have went into the jumble for the 4th line rotation. If Ruzicka won it, then the team won't sign Milano. Zary almost stole it, but not quite. I think a non-waiver eligible player has to be substantially better to risk losing an asset on waivers (or risk losing overall depth). Injuries happen, and if there is an early injury on the Flames, my pick is for Zary to be at the front of the line. I would anticipate that Ruzicka won't make it through waivers without being claimed. 6'5" center with decent skating and great hands? Someone is going to claim and see how he can fit in the bottom 6 on their team. I don't think Ruzicka played badly enough to get waived anyway, but I seriously doubt he passes. He did well in Junior, he did well in the AHL, and thus far in the NHL he hasn't looked bad at all. One relatively disappointing preseason is not going to change anyone's perception. Also, Sutter specifically went out of his way to be complimentary of Ruzicka - said he had obviously put in a lot of work this off-season as he came into camp with a man's body instead of a boy's body like he had last year. At any rate, someone had to really push Ruzicka off the roster, and I don't think anyone did. They are not going to throw a big, promising center. It is too bad that Pettersen got injured. I thought he was noticeable when he was on the ice. At this point, I would think it is a bit late to get into another game if he is ready to go by tomorrow, and I assume he will be sent down as soon as he recovers. I started writing him off last season after being fairly high on him in the past, but he showed me wrong this camp. He is strong in all 3 zones. Seemed like he was playing a very mature game. Pospisil you just have to feel sorry for. Kid just keeps getting injured. Big body that can skate, has good hands and has that sandpaper game is what Sutter really likes, and this should have been a camp for him to shine in. Hope he puts these constant injuries in the rear view mirror. As for Eakin, I would argue that he has been earning a deal. Shouldn't upset anyone really - who else is competing for a 4th line role? Rooney? Maybe Ruzicka if someone displaced him out of the third line I guess. Duehr or Pospisil? Not really since they won't be taking defensive zone draws. Eakin gives Sutter another layer of comfort in knowing that someone really good on draws is out. When the 4th line is caught on an icing, you can be a bit more relaxed that at least Eakin can win the draw, or at least be good defensively. Mistake-free minutes is important - the ability to chew-up mistake-free minutes allows your difference makers to rest. I also think it is more than just mistake-free minutes - I think that it will often be an 'energy line' - Lucic and Ritchie throwing around their weight will be an energy line, and there is value in that. So far, not real big surprises. My biggest surprise is Eakin earning a deal (thus far anyway). Looking at his numbers last year and seeing him as one of the worst Sabres in many categories led me to believe that this would be a short-termed PTO. Goes to show how the right situation for a player can mean a world of difference. Milano, on the other hand, hasn't done much to earn a deal. I don't see it. I don't think he looked good with Kadri (though one game isn't very telling anyway). I didn't see someone who was driving the play, or being a factor on the ice. I thought Ruzicka was more of a positive factor more often, and I can't say that I loved Ruzicka's performance at camp. Was hoping this would work out and the Flames end up with a valuable asset for free, but it hasn't. I hope a team with a better situation for him signs him, but I don't see him fitting on the Flames. That spot was WIDE open, and all I saw was a player who didn't want that spot.